Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2006 , Vol 52 , Num 3

The Effect of Raloxifene on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover Markers in Postmenopausal Wome

Duygu Geler Külcü 1 ,Nuray Alptekin 2 ,Haydar Gök 3 ,Peyman Yalçın 4
1 Haydarpaşa Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Kliniği, İstanbul, Türkiye
2 Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
3 Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
4 Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye

Objective: To investigate the effect of one year treatment with raloxifene on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women.
 

Materials and Methods: 75 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were recruited into study and randomized to raloxifene or control group. Raloxifene group received raloxifene 60 mg, calcium 1000 mg and vitamin-D 800 IU daily. Control group recieved 1000 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin-D daily. Bone turnover markers as well as BMDs of lumbar spine and femoral neck were evaluated in each group at baseline and after one year of treatment.
 

Results: 65 patients completed the study. Mean age and mean menopause age of raloxifene group (n=40) were 56 and 45 years respectively; and of control group (n=25) were 62 and 42 years respectively. After 1 year treatment, there was an incease in BMD of lumbar spine (p=0.034) but not that of femoral neck in the raloxifene group. There was no change in levels of bone turnover markers except calcium (p=0.014). There was no change in bone turnover markers and BMDs of the control group. We did not observe any serious adverse event causing withdrawal of medication. 
 

Conclusion: One year treatment with raloxifene 60 mg/day in postmenopausal osteoporosis improves BMD of lumbar spine. 

Keywords : Postmenopausal osteoporosis, raloxifene, bone turnover markers, bone mineral density